Dry Eye Syndrome is a common condition that occurs when your eyes do not produce enough lubrication, either because of the lower volumes of tear formation or other factors like aging, allergies etc. And all of this can lead to the development of symptoms like redness, itching, blurry vision, light sensitivity, stinging, a gritty feeling etc. Depending on the case, dry eyes can be both temporary or chronic in nature and the symptoms can get worse if left untreated for a long time, to the point that it can damage the cornea and even lead to vision loss or blindness.
4 Causes of Dry Eyes
The main reason behind the development of dry eyes can’t be pin-pointed to one as there is no one size fit for all policy applicable here. It can be a mix of a myriad of causes or could be just one, but listed below are some of the most common ones that could give rise to this condition:
Lengthy screen-time: Working long hours on the computer or staring at a screen watching a show etc. can really trigger dry eye symptoms and affect the vision terribly. It is common to hear dry eyes complaints from people who work lengthy hours on the screen as they tend to blink less often compared to their counterparts.
Medication: Although less likely but there are some medications that can negatively affect one’s eyes. This is primarily because of the reduced mucus formation they might lead to, which is essential for tears to form and keep the eyes lubricated. Some medications like antidepressants, antihistamines etc. are known to cause this.
Aging: Aging is one of the leading causes behind dry eyes. According to research, it is believed that the older one is, the more susceptible to dry eyes they become. Especially, after hitting fifties, it is common for people to experience dry eyes, due to the decline of tear production that comes with the age.
Vitamin A deficiency: Vitamin A is extremely vital for maintaining healthy eyesight and deficiency in that can cause serious eye-related issues to arise. Dry eyes and loss of vision power are some of the main effects of vitamin A deficiency and should be tended to immediately.
6 Treatments for Dry Eyes
From warm compresses to reduced screen time, there are various ways one can try to relieve dry eyes. But, depending on the complexity of the case, the treatment for dry eyes may vary. And although there are many options available, some common dry eyes remedies one can know and make use of, are listed below.
Avoid smoke exposure: Being exposed to smoke or smoking can have a very serious effect on the eyes and is ideally suggested to steer clear of, particularly when one is suffering from eye related ailments like dry eyes. Smoke exposure strips the eye off its moisture and dries out the eye further.
Time away from screen: One of the major reasons behind dry eyes is the lengthy amount of time an individual spends in front of their screen. It is advised to cut back a bit on that and let their eyes rest for a bit. Taking mini breaks and just closing the eyes and relaxing a bit at small intervals can really help with the condition.
Humidifier: Dry eyes are caused by lack of lubrication in the eyes and adding moisture in the air with the help of a humidifier can really provide relief for dry eyes and make the symptoms like redness, stinging, burning etc. under control.
Hydration and healthy diet: Staying hydrated and having a healthy diet is also widely recommended as it can really improve one’s eyesight and relieve the dry eyes symptoms. Consuming a well-balanced vitamin A rich diet and drinking enough fluids throughout the day to keep one’s eyesight healthy is often suggested by experts.
Eye drops for dry eyes: Using artificial tears or special eye drops developed for dry eyes can work wonders with the symptoms. These eye drops help keeping the eyes lubricated and can be bought over the counter as per a doctor’s advice. Applying these eye drops before taking part in activities that might dry out the eyes is suggested as a precautionary measure.
Seeing a specialist: Seeking medical counsel and seeing a specialist when one feels their symptoms have gotten worse is strongly recommended. The specialist, also known as an ophthalmologist, is likely to suggest medication such as eye drops, vitamin tablets and ointments in mild cases but a corrective surgery can also be suggested.